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Winter
Greece
Resident
2.75 GPA
Sophomore standing or higher
Meet current entry requirements in Greece
Sept 14, 2023
In this 3 s.h. course abroad, students will have an opportunity to find new inspiration for their own writing through travel in Greece.
'Writing Greece' engages the rich legacy of the ancient world to foster creativity and inspire original fiction in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Students will visit unforgettable ancient sites such as the Parthenon in Athens, the Sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and the Lion Gate in Mycenae. A highlight will be a day travelling by ferry to Hydra, an idyllic island without cars and filled with beautiful stone mansions and quaint pebble beaches.
This course emphasizes both myth and history, with tales of gods and goddesses and narratives of kings and philosophers receiving equal weight. We will study the fascinating deities Athena and Poseidon, learn about the Athenian statesman Pericles, and familiarize ourselves with the poetry of Sappho. Reading and writing assignments will be short and manageable, with daily conference appointments available for all students. Creative writing may take the form of genre fiction (e.g., fantasy, sci-fi, YA) or more traditional literary fiction.
This class includes free periods during some afternoons and evenings when students can explore independently Athens and Nafplio. Contemporary Greek cities are safe, fascinating, and affordable; in the past, program participants have had a wonderful time finding out-of-the-way markets and discovering charming neighborhoods. Whether studying a statue of Artemis, eating in a seaside taverna, or revising a story in the shadow of the Parthenon, this course promises to both edify and entertain.
Students will engage in a variety of activities focused on ancient and modern cultural life. Planned activities include:
Stephen joined the English Department at the University of Iowa in 2011, where he also holds appointments in the Digital Studio for the Public Arts & Humanities and the Center for the Book. He is the author of Poetic Community: Avant-Garde Activism and Cold War Culture (University of Toronto Press, 2013), the editor of a book of variations: love – zygal – art facts (Coach House Books, 2013), and the Director of the Fluxus Digital Collection. His work also appears in journals such as Jacket2 Magazine, Modernism/modernity, Criticism: A Quarterly Journal for Literature and the Arts, Postmodern Culture, and Open Letter.
Voyce’s primary teaching and research interests include twentieth-century poetry, media studies, Marxist criticism and theory, and critical digital studies.
This course will be offered next during Winter Session 2023-24.
Tentative travel dates are December 26, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Friday, September 1 pm at 12:30 in the Gerber Lounge
For more details about this program please contact Winter 2023 Faculty Director Stephen Voyce or Program Coordinator Lindsay Budde.
The capitol and largest city in Greece, Athens is one of the world's oldest cities with a recorded history spanning 3,400 years. The heritage of the classical era is still evident in the city, represented by ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous of all being the Parthenon.
The Parthenon is the greatest and finest sanctuary of Ancient Athens. Dedicated to its patron, the goddess Athena, it still dominates the center of the modern city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis.
The history of Greece is one of the longest of any country, having been continuously inhabited since 270,000 BC.
Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Greece is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic Games, Western literature, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, and Western drama, including both tragedy and comedy.
The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.
Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.
Students will share hotel rooms with private bathrooms (double occupancy) with another program participant.
If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins.
The UI Passport Office processes new U.S. passport applications and child/minor renewal applications.
US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website. Most adult renewals must be done by mail.
Important notice:
Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If yours is not, you must renew your passport.
Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.
Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.
Students will receive instructions for booking flights after the Confirmation Deadline. A suggested group flight will be shared with the group and students will make their own arrangements.
Those who do not have extensive travel experience are encouraged to book the suggested group flight.
Transportation for all course activities is provided, including a group airport pickup and drop-off at the beginning and end of the course.
For courses traveling abroad, participating students and faculty will be required to follow host country laws and procedures regarding COVID-19. Requirements of each host country are subject to change with little notice. Requirements may include COVID-19 testing, proof of vaccination, or quarantine/isolation to enter the country or to access certain facilitates and services.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
The course fee for the 2023-2024 program will be $4,570
Key points to note are:
The total estimated costs (both U-bill charges and out-of-pockets expenses) for the program are available on the Cost Sheet. Financial Aid uses this document to determine participating students' funding awards for course.
Students are encouraged to apply for Need-based, Merit, and Diversity Ambassador scholarships awarded by Study Abroad. More information is available on the Scholarships page.
Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are eligible to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship, an external scholarship awarded by the Department of State. Learn more here.
Financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa (scholarships, grants, and loans) may be applied toward the program cost. Students are encouraged to speak with someone in Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.
The application process requires:
The writing sample will be used to ensure applicants will be successful on this writing-intensive program.
UI Study Abroad Application - open August 1, 2023.
Non-UI Students
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Next Steps for accepted students:
Students will receive instructions for booking flights after the Confirmation Deadline. A suggested group flight will be shared with the group and students will make their own arrangements. Those who do not have extensive travel experience are encouraged to book the suggested group flight.
All students preparing to study abroad should review the following:
Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information
Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.
To prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations.
You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.
A mandatory, in-person orientation will be facilitated by the Faculty Leader and Study Abroad Coordinator before departure and will cover content specific to your program and host country.